Geno to Coach National Team in Rio - 2016

[Icebear]

Stef? I'm sorry but that selection WOULD make one raise an eyebrow when you have Charles, Fowles, Griner, Parker, Johnson, C. Ogwumike, N. Ogwumike, Langhorne, EDD, and a very experienced Bone all available as posts... Stef would be a long shot

On the other hand there is no one past or present who runs the center of Geno's offense better than Stef. She passes brilliantly out of the post (back door passes, high post to low post passes, feed to the spot up shooters for threes, pick and roll and more), she battles hard for the low block, she willingly sets screen after screen (I watched her set four or five in one brief series of about 10 seconds), she reliably makes the 15-17 footer above the FT line and can now shoot the 3 very well and she works tirelessly and plays through pain and as of last season runs the court quite well. Yeah, I can see why Geno wouldn't want her available at the center of his offensive plans for the Olympic team. No one player embodies all of Geno's desired skills and options in a center better than Stef. Plus by then she will probably be a two first team AA.

 

[meyers7]

AP Article -Link Auriemma had felt his Olympic duties took too much time from his coaching at Connecticut.

I'm sure the committee's argument was "you won a NC, and you're most likely to win another this year, really how much is it adversely affecting UCONN?"

 

[meyers7]

Coaches? Bruno maybe. Cheryl Reeves might deserve a shot. Other possibilities?

Maybe, they start grooming Jen? Could you imagine the meltdown in TN with Geno/Jen and a handful of UCONN players in Rio??? That alone would be worth any perceived recruiting negatives.

 

[meyers7]

Who are you kidding with this stuff - Geno has it in his super secret double hidden invisible ink clause in the contract that he has absolute authority to choose only the players he wants with no regard for what either USA basketball wants or their relative talent merit. Now I haven't actually seen the executed version of the contract, but I have my sources and they are really 'inside' sources if you know what I mean (wink, wink, nudge, nudge) and they got me a hand written copy of the draft document which I wish I could share with you, but ... I have to protect my sources. And my best friend's second cousins wife's former boyfriend's half brother knows someone who works with ESPN (Uconn's personal broadcasting network as everyone knows) who was there when the whole thing went down. So TRUST me, this is the real story and you can take it to the bank.
And Phil - you really disappoint me that you could have fallen for all that PC crap that the 'USA Basketball Selection Committee makes all roster decisions' - As if!

Well done. Kudos for anyone who can put Monty Python and Ferris Bueller references in the same post.

 

[meyers7]

In other news a bunch of people from south of the Mason-Dixon Line have been spotted jumping off cliffs, bridges, and planes without parachutes

Do you think it's because of the announcement, or is this a normal activity for them?? (i.e. they are not bright enough to realize they need one)

 

[Bestiarius]

Doesn't stop the knUTs from waxing eloquent on how rigged the system is in favor of Geno and UCONN. Add to that the fact that he has people in the NCAA in his back pocket.

Don't forget to include the UConn subsidiaries ESPN and SNY. And if Stef doesn't make the team, I'm sure her broadcasting career will be in full swing in time to work the Olympics.

 

[UcMiami]

Well done. Kudos for anyone who can put Monty Python and Ferris Bueller references in the same post.

Hey - what gives ... do I lose points for the Clueless and Animal House references?!

 

[ChicagoGG]

Nah, having just driven up from Cape Cod, I'm ready for the Yankees to trounce Boston.

Not a "nice guy" anymore?

Like they did last night (not!)?

 

[Wonkster]

... Tara Van Deveer took off time from her program because she considered the demands of doing the two simultaneously are so significant.

And how long did it take Stanford's WBB program to recover from that missing year?

How soon we forget.

 

[Wonkster]

Cheer up, Triad. Maybe in 12 more years our favorite Maineonian (Coach P) may be selected for the position ..... after 11 consecutive NCAA runnerup spots.

Speaking of runnerup spots ... Somewhere on the Louisville Scout web site is the phrase "defending NCAA WBB runnerup team."

I swear.

I guess that means that Jeff Walz will take on all comers who try to take runnerup status away from his team.

 

[meyers7]

Speaking of runnerup spots ... Somewhere on the Louisville Scout web site is the phrase "defending NCAA WBB runnerup team."

I swear.

I guess that means that Jeff Walz will take on all comers who try to take runnerup status away from his team.

You take what you can get.

 

[meyers7]

Hey - what gives ... do I lose points for the Clueless and Animal House references?!

For Clueless?? Yea, any reference there would be points off.

Missed the Animal House reference.... but then we actually did have someone on double secret probation where I work. Kinda loses it's luster when it's real.

 

[UcMiami]

And how long did it take Stanford's WBB program to recover from that missing year?

How soon we forget.

Yes, but she actually took a leave of absence to coach the team in a very different age for the women's game. Based on NCAA rules I suspect she could not have any official contact with recruits.
With the availability of national team players being so limited Geno really doesn't have a lot of time commitment to make. They might try to have a three day trial during the WNBA finals but it seems pretty late to get that scheduled so the first actual serious time commitment would be a few days next spring before WNBA starts again. Then two weeks in the summer cutting into his Jersey Shore time and then another year break before the next trials gathering pre-Olympics - that year probably includes two gatherings - 3 days in the fall of 15 and 3 days in the spring followed by another lost jersey shore summer. The real down side would be if they lost the WC in 2014 and had to qualify for the Olympics but ...

 

[EricSD]

And how long did it take Stanford's WBB program to recover from that missing year?

How soon we forget.

Very true, however, she actually took time off. Geno did not. I realize the demands are considerable, but I believe it's a total win-win for UCONN in every way imaginable. Geno is far and away the most influential person in Women's basketball at this time, and having all that great publicity for UCONN is a great byproduct...

 

[Icebear]

And how long did it take Stanford's WBB program to recover from that missing year?

How soon we forget.

Some would say 5+ years.

 

[ScarlettB]

Pretty good pool of players there though I would put Angel in your second list not because of skill or age, but because of last years WNBA oddities. And I think the pool will likely include a few more younger guards - Bria is certainly a possibility, not sure who else to include. I believe Vandersloot also got a run in the USA pool last time? Do we think Cappy is no longer under consideration? By the way - I assume TBS = The Breanna Stewart?

I don't think Cappie will be selected even though she is an All Star in the WNBA. She is not in favor with the folks in charge of USA BB nor Geno, so despite her ability, they will leave her off the team. I think it is kind of interesting that both of the starting guards for the Eastern conference All Stars won't be on the US Olympic team. Prince will most likely play for Russia. I don't know why there never seemed to be any interest between Piph and USA BB.

I think Geno is the best choice for coach, but I do hope the team ends up with a roster that includes more players than last time from colleges other than UConn because I think it draws more rooting interest from non UConn fans. I expect DT, Maya and Tina will definitely be selected again and most likely Sue Bird (depends on her health). Augustus, Fowles, Parker and Angel will most likely be back, but I'm not sure about Catchings (her choice) and I don't think Cash or Jones will be. I think Whalen will be considered, but there are better guards available. EDD, Nneka and Griner will make the team and Stewart, KML, Sims, Skyler Diggins, Kristi Toliver, Rebekkah Brunson, Chiney, Glory Johnson, Candace Dupree and Courtney Vandersloot all should be considered.

I would like to see Dawn Staley selected as an assistant. She has done a lot for USA basketball.

 

[Waquoit]

This is great for Geno and great for the WBB program. I think Geno enjoys the challenge, he did a fantastic job last time. His being actively recruited for a return just confirms that Geno is not just the best coach in college WBB, he is the best coach of women's hoop in the world. When folks say they are worried about recruiting they are just kidding, right?

 

[doggydaddy]

If any player has Olympic aspirations Uconn is the place for them.

Ms. Wilson, you paying attention?....lol.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Very true, however, she actually took time off. Geno did not. I realize the demands are considerable, but I believe it's a total win-win for UCONN in every way imaginable. Geno is far and away the most influential person in Women's basketball at this time, and having all that great publicity for UCONN is a great byproduct...

Agreed. The fact that the committee was so dogged in its pursuit of him speaks volumes about their respect for what he brings to the coaching role.

Biggest bonus for me in this is it shows me that Geno has recharged his batteries and I believe the "distraction" of this second assignment will offer him a change of scene and focus that will help keep it all ( UConn coaching, recruiting, etc) alive for him.

 

[doggydaddy]

I'm sure that Geno learned something from the first time. If he feels he needs a different approach to make sure he is devoting the time he missed last year in recruiting.

He's a pretty smart guy.